The intermittent fasting diet, which involves periods of severe calorie restriction, may be on the way out, as new research from the University of Surrey is suggesting that rather than drastically reducing calories, people can achieve similar metabolic benefits by cutting back on carbs. 

A University of Liverpool study conducted in rural Pakistan in partnership with the Human Development Research Foundation and the Health Services Academy has demonstrated the effectiveness of a novel, technology-assisted intervention for perinatal depression.

(Philadelphia, PA) – Calcium transport into and out of mitochondria – the powerhouses of cells – is central to cellular energy production and cell death. To maintain the balance of calcium within these powerhouses, cells rely on a protein known as the mitochondrial sodium-calcium exchanger, or NCLX. Now, in new research, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University have discovered a novel regulator of NCLX activity, a protein called TMEM65, which helps move calcium out of mitochondria, protecting against harmful calcium overload.

The discovery, described online April 8 in the journal Nature Metabolism, is the first to characterize the interaction of TMEM65 with NCLX in mitochondria. “TMEM65 is the first protein identified that is a bona fide interactor and regulator of NCLX,” explained John W. Elrod, PhD, W.W. Smith Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine and Founding Director of the Aging + Cardiovascular Discovery Center at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and senior investigator on the new study. The discovery could help scientists design new therapeutic agents to combat calcium overload of mitochondria in conditions such as heart failure and Alzheimer’s disease.

Today, Mirvie announced results of a breakthrough study published in Nature Communications, revealing new advances in the biological understanding of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia - a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality as well as preterm birth. Researchers used data from more than 9,000 pregnancies within the multi-center Mirvie-sponsored Miracle of Life prospective study to discover and validate RNA signatures capable of distinguishing between severe and mild hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, months before symptoms occur. The paper also validates the predictive performance of Mirvie’s simple blood test to predict preeclampsia early, at 17.5 to 22 weeks gestational age, in pregnancies without any pre-existing high-risk conditions.

Numerous studies have shown that working the night shift is associated with serious health risks, including to the heart. However, a new study from Mass General Brigham suggests that eating only during the daytime could help people avoid the health risks associated with shift work. Results are published in Nature Communications.